Anyang' Nyong'o changes tune on Kisumu demonstrations due to pressure

Kisumu County Governor has changed tune and lifted the suspension on the Raila Odinga-led anti-government demonstrations in Kisumu following pressure from within and without his ODM party.

In a statement he released later on Wednesday, Nyong’o announced the county had resolved to continue with the planned demonstrations.

Nyong’o emphasised on their belief of the rights of Kenyans to the demonstrations as enshrined in the constitution.

“We believe in the rights of Kenyans to peacefully assemble, petition, and demonstrate against the government. These expressive and speech rights are ironclad as enshrined in our constitution. We in Azimio fought for these basic freedoms,” Nyong’o said.

“We are encouraged by the resolve of our people to continue with the demonstrations. We have therefore been urged by our people to continue with peaceful demonstrations tomorrow, and we shall do so," Nyong'o said.

Nyong'o claimed goons have been hired by people he did not name to disrupt the demonstrations and cause mayhem and appealed to their supporters not to give them an occasion.

"We know goons have been hired by our opponents to cause chaos and loot property. Our people must not provide the goons and criminals the opportunity to do so.”

Nyong’o urged Kisumu residents to turn out in large numbers for the demonstrations and appealed to the police to ensure peace and security in the county.

“We therefore urge you to turn out in large numbers and join other Kenyans in this liberation struggle,” the governor said.

“We equally call upon the police to ensure peace and security in Kisumu.”

Nyong’o’s statement comes just hours within the initial statement in which he indefinitely suspended the demos in the county and directed them to Nairobi.

However, his remarks sparked a spat with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja who asked Nyong’o to keep the demonstrations in Kisumu since the capital had already hosted two demos before.